This paper reviews all information gathered from different disciplines and studies to resolve the species status within the Ceratitis FAR (C. fasciventris, C. anonae, C. rosa) complex, a group of polyphagous fruit fly pest species (Diptera, Tephritidae) from Africa. It includes information on larval and adult morphology, wing morphometrics, cuticular hydrocarbons, pheromones, microsatellites, developmental physiology and geographic distribution. The general consensus is that the FAR complex comprises C. anonae, two species within C. rosa (so-called R1 and R2) and two putatitve species under C. fasciventris. The information regarding the latter is, however, too limited to draw final conclusions on specific status. Evidence for this recognition is discussed with reference to publications providing further details.

The influence of food sources comprising the natural diet on the reproductive behaviour, fecundity and longevity of three African fruit fliesCeratitis cosyra(Walker),C. fasciventris(Bezzi) andC. capitata(Wiedemann) was investigated. Three natural food sources, varying in protein and sugar content, were evaluated. These included bird droppings (farm chicken), aphid honeydew and guava (Psidium guajavaL.) juice. ForC. fasciventrisandC. capitata, flies fed on a protein-rich diet displayed higher frequency of calling, mating and oviposition than flies fed on a protein-poor diet, whilst forC. cosyra, quality of diet significantly influenced the mating behaviour of the flies, but not the calling and oviposition behaviour. Net fecundity rates were lowest forC. fasciventrisandC. capitatawhen fed only on guava juice (0.1, 2.6 eggs per female, respectively), and higher for those on a diet of honeydew only (9.5, 33.8 eggs per female, respectively) and a combined diet of guava, honeydew and chicken faeces (11.8, 25.8 eggs per female, respectively). ForC. cosyra, due to low numbers of eggs collected, no significant differences in fecundity between diets could be detected. All species fed only on a diet of chicken faeces since emergence died within the first three days of adult life without laying eggs, but when carbohydrates were provided by addition of guava juice and honeydew, the longevity of the flies was sustained for more than four weeks after adult emergence. The practical implications of these findings for control purposes are discussed.